VALVED BRONCHOASPIRATION DEVICE FOR ENDOTRACHEAL TUBES

Abstract: A broncho-aspiration device comprising an endotracheal tube (4) in a mechanical ventilation unit, which comprises a connector (1) defining an outlet port (2) for coupling an endotracheal tube and an inlet port (3) for coupling to a mechanical ventilation unit. The particularity of the invention is constituted by the fact that the connector (1) comprises a lumen (8) that is controlled by a valve element (10) which forms an aspiration port for a broncho-aspiration tube (30). The valve element can be arranged in a closed position, in which it closes the lumen with respect to the outside, and in an aspiration position, wherein the aspiration port is arranged at the lumen.

Description: _, VALVEDBRONCHOASPIRAΗONDEVICEFORENDOTRACHEALTUBES DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a bronchoaspiration device applicable to an endotracheal tube in a mechanical ventilation unit. As it is known, bronchoaspiration is a procedure required to keep the lumen of the endotracheal tube free from secretions that reduce its passage section. This method entails a risk of bacterial contamination for the circuit and for the patient undergoing mechanical ventilation, and this risk arises mainly from the fact that a connection may form between the outside environment and the inside of the circuit during insertion of the bronchoaspiration tube in the connector for the coupling of the endotracheal tube. Furthermore, an additional risk is constituted by the possible repeated use of the same tube used to perform bronchoaspiration. In the attempt to partially or fully solve these risks, currently commercially available solutions have generally led to considerable constructive complications with a consequent high cost. Furthermore, most known devices keep inside the ventilation circuit the secretion residues that cling to the outside of the aspiration tube, thus constituting a source of additional bacterial proliferation. The aim of the invention is indeed to eliminate the above described drawbacks by providing a bronchoaspiration device that can be applied to an endotracheal tube in a mechanical ventilation unit, allows to prevent connection between the outside and the inside, and furthermore allows to remove the bronchoaspiration tube without connecting the inside to the outside. Within the scope of the above aim, a particular object of the invention is to provide a bronchoaspiration device of the disposable type which is structurally very simple and can be applied and removed very rapidly. Another object of the present invention is to provide a bronchoaspiration device which, by virtue of its particular constructive characteristics, is capable of giving the greatest assurances of reliability and safety in use. Another object of the present invention is to provide a bronchoaspiration device which is easily obtainable starting from commonly commercially available elements and materials and furthermore has a very limited cost. This aim, these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a bronchoaspiration device applicable to an endotracheal tube in a mechanical ventilation unit, according to the invention, which coπprises a connector defining an outlet port for coupling an endotracheal tube and an inlet port for coupling to a mechanical ventilation unit, characterized in that said connector comprises a lumen controlled by a valve element which forms an aspiration port for a bronchoaspiration tube, said valve element being arrangeable in a closed position, in which it closes said lumen with respect to the outside, and in an open position, wherein said aspiration port is arranged at said lumen. Further characteristics and advantages will become apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a bronchoaspiration device applicable to an endotracheal tube in a mechanical ventilation unit, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a schematic view of the device according to the invention; figure 2 is a detail view of the connector with the valve element in closed position; figure 3 is a partially sectional view of the connector with the valve element in aspiration position; figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the plane IV- IV of figure 2; figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the plane v-v of figure 3; and figure 6 is a sectional detail view of the bronchial aspiration tube, with an auxiliary tube connected thereto for introducing liquids. With reference to the above figures, the bronchoaspiration device applicable to an endotracheal tube in a mechanical ventilation unit, according to the invention, comprises a connector, designated by the reference numeral 1, which is commonly termed "Cobb connector" and defines an outlet port 2 and an inlet port 3 which are mutually angularly offset. An endotracheal tube, generally designated by the reference numeral 4, is connected to the outlet port 2, whereas the air feed tube 5 is connected to the inlet por 3 and is in turn associated with a mechanical ventilatio unit of a per se known type. The particularity of the invention consists in that lumen 8 is defined along the same axis as the outlet port and is controlled by a valve element generally designate by the reference numeral 10. More specifically, the valve element comprises a dis 11, which is connected to the cylindrical element 1 defining the lumen 8, having a sealing gasket 13, advantageously formed by an O-ring, around the lumen 8. A rotating shutter 14 is provided above the disk 11 and has a folded lower edge 15 engaging the edge of the disk 11, so as to achieve the coupling and allow the shutter 14 to rotate with respect to the disk 11. The shutter 14 defines an aspiration inlet 20 arranged eccentrically on said shutter, so as to match the eccentricity of the opening 8a formed at the lumen 8 provided on the connector 1. The shutter 14, which as mentioned can rotate on the disk 11, can be arranged in a first position, or closed position, wherein the lumen 8 is closed tight by said shutter and the port 20 is also closed tight in a similar manner; a bronchoaspiration tube, generally designated by the reference numeral 30, can be applied at said port. The tube 30 can be applied and removed without connection to the inside of the mechanical ventilation circuit. The tube 30 is provided with an internal tube 31 accommodated inside a sterile flexible outer sheath 32 so that the aspiration tube, too, is not connected to the outside. An auxiliary port 40 is furthermore provided at the port 20, and a small tube 41 can be connected thereto for the possible introduction of liquids normally introduced to facilitate removal of internal secretions. A plug-like element 50 is also provided that can be arranged so as to close the port 20 when the tube 30 is not applied. According to what is shown in figure 6, it is possible to provide an auxiliary tube, designated by the reference numeral 60, formed directly on the tang 61 of the tube 30; said tang allows coupling on the port 20. With this arrangement, in normal ventilation conditions the lumen 8 is closed tight, preventing connection between the inside of the ventilation circuit and the outside. By turning the valve element, the inside of the sheath containing the aspiration tube is connected to the inside of the circuit, but full separation from the outside environment is maintained. In practice it is possible, also by virtue of the presence of the sheath 32, to maintain separation from the outside even while coupling the tube which, once placed at the lumen 8, can be inserted to perform bronchial aspiration. At the end of the operation, the tube is retracted inside the sheath and the valve element is rotated into its closed position. During this step it is possible to remove the tube in order to replace it or wash it with disinfectants, without contaminating the patient in any way. The system as described above furthermore allows, after aspiration has ended, to remove the tube and thus create a larger maneuvering space for health-care personnel proximate to the patient's face and furthermore reduces the possibility that the patient being awake may inadvertently extubate himself. Another advantageous aspect is the possibility to use tubes having various diameters and shapes without having to change the aspiration connector and the valve element. From what has been described above it can be seen that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, and in particular the fact is stressed that by virtue of extremely simple means, practically constituted by the valve element, the inside of the mechanical ventilation circuit is always assured]y kept separate from the. outside, preventing any possibility of contamination, with the further advantage of allowing to remove the aspiration tube for replacement or washing. The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept. All the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials employed, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the requirements.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Bronchoaspiration device applicable to an endotracheal tube in a mechanical ventilation unit, comprising a connector defining an outlet port for coupling an endotracheal tube and an inlet port for coupling to a mechanical ventilation unit, characterized in that said connector comprises a lumen controlled by a valve element which forms an aspiration port for a bronchoaspiration tube, said valve element being arrangeable in a closed position, in which it closes said lumen with respect to the outside, and in an aspiration position, wherein said aspiration port is arranged at said lumen. 2. Bronchoaspiration device according to claim 1, characterized in that said valve element has a disk connected to the cylindrical body defining said lumen, a shutter being rotatably associated with said disk and forming said aspiration port. 3. Bronchoaspiration device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said aspiration port is located eccentrically on said shutter so as to match the eccentricity of said lumen with respect to said disk. 4. Bronchoaspiration device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a sealing gasket arranged around said lumen and acting on said shutter. 5. Bronchoaspiration device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said bronchial aspiration tube comprises an aspiration tube arranged inside a flexible sheath surrounding said tube. 6. Bronchoaspiration device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plug-like element connected to said shutter to removably close said aspiration port. 7. Bronchoaspiration device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it compriseε, on said shutter, at said aspiration port, an auxiliary port for coupling a tube for the introduction of liquids. 8. Bronchoaspiration device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, on said bronchial aspiration tube, an auxiliary tube for introducing liquids. 9. Bronchoaspiration device applicable to an endotracheal tube in a mechanical ventilation unit, characterized in that it comprises one or more of the described and/or illustrated features.

Inventors: GIBERTONI LUCIO, GIBERTONI, LUCIO
Applicants: GIBERTONI LUCIO, MALLINCKRODT MEDICAL INC, GIBERTONI, LUCIO, MALLINCKRODT MEDICAL, INC.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: A61M16
IPC codes: A61M16, A61M25, A62B9